TARANAKI WAVE CLASSIC TRIP
The Best Windsurf Wave Surfari
Taranaki Wave Classic Surfari Trip
The Taranaki Wave Classic is the biggest and oldest windsurfing event in New Zealand. With around 80 entries in the last few years and a lot of non-windsurfing partners attending, you can be sure to make new friends!
So come on a four night Windsurf weekend holiday to the undisputed wild west that is Taranaki. With its 270° exposure, the Taranaki coastline offers great wave sailing conditions in nearly any wind direction.
Our Surfari trips are all inclusive, meaning you don’t need to do a thing except book the trip and turn up!
FROM
NZD $
850.-
- USD $ 530.-
- EUR € 490.-
4 nights quality accommodation
Single/double available. Limited to 6 guests.
Meals
Fully catered throughout your stay - Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner.
TWC event entry
The Taranaki Wave Classic entry fee is included.
Photos
Professional photos taken of you on the water available.
Fly in?
We offer gear hire of the latest premium equipment.
Local knowledge
We ensure you will be at the right spot at the right time.
What you want to know
Discover the Surfari Trip Dates currently available, your package pricing options, and if you’re looking to travel light, the rental options.
2024 Season
- 24 October to 28 October – Book Now
2025 Season
- 23 October to 27 October – Contact Us
More trips will be added soon, sign up for our newsletter for the latest updates and special offers!
Alternatively you can request a date that suits you! Get a crew of four (minimum) and contact us for a Custom Surfari.
- $1100 NZD Single occupancy room.
- $850 NZD Double room per person (this needs to be booked and paid together).
- $450 NZD for all gear for your 4 days (if required by prior arrangement).
What you need to know
Explore everything that is included in the Surfari Trip package, what you need to bring with you, and what skill level you need to be at.
- Taranaki Wave Classic entry fee *
- 4 nights accommodation.
- 4 fantastic days in Taradise!
- sailing location knowledge and advice.
- weather conditions knowledge and advice.
- 4 x continental breakfast.
- 4 x individually packed picnic lunches.
- 2 x dinners with complimentary glass of wine.
- 1 x Sunday social dinner & drinks (as included in the TWC entry).
* TWC entry is deducted from Surfari pricing if self-entered.
- your own transport to get to and from the spots
- your own equipment (unless prior arranged with us)
- 4/3 wetsuit recommended
- sunblock
- sunhat
- insect repellent
- any personal medications
- This trip is suitable for intermediate to expert wave-sailing windsurfers. Intermediate to advanced wingfoilers are welcome. To have fun on this trip, you should at least be able to:
- be competent and confident water-starting
- be sailing in footstraps and harness
- be able to get back to where you started from
- Due to the nature of the sailing locations, we can usually find sheltered areas for less experienced people. At the same time, more experienced people can be out blasting and playing in the rolling swells and waves. We will point you to the best spot for your skill level.
- For keen surfers: Famous breaks such as Stent Road are only ~30 minutes drive from our accommodation.
Please note: we currently do not offer lessons or tuition. If you’re not sure if this trip suits you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
What to expect
You are taken on a four day fully catered wave-sailing windsurf adventure to participate in the “Taranaki Wave Classic”. If you don’t have the right gear, or simply want to try something different. Maybe you wish to try the latest offerings from Severne or Starboard? Water Nomads can provide, by prior arrangement, board and gear rental on site.
In Oakura (15 min south of New Plymouth). We have accommodation within walking distance of the TWC base, which offers plenty of room for everyone to hang out. We cater for small groups of up to 6 guests, thus you will enjoy the large living spaces and comfortable bedrooms.
It starts with a continental breakfast, Artisan bread and fresh brewed espresso coffee to your taste (or tea!).
A hearty lunch is individually packed to allow you freedom to eat when you please.
The day finishes with a wholesome meal provided by our local chief including a rich desert and a lot of tall stories around the table!
We take professional action shots of you on the water which are available to purchase at discounted rates.
We respect your independence throughout the sufari so you are provided with a hearty lunch individually packed each day.
You are provided with spot location, weather condition advice, and we maintain contact with you even if you choose an alternate location to explore. You are not treated like a school group nor do we guide your every movement. We ensure you are at the right place at the right time. It is however ultimately your judgement on your ability to sail in the presented conditions.
Where can you sail
The Taranaki Wave Classic sails at variety of great spots with very specific wind conditions that offers epic wave-sailing. You don’t need to be a super hero wave sailor to participate, as this is not a competition, but rather a huge social event, with everyone having fun and sharing tips. No heats, no judging, just go out and sail, surf or SUP until you drop!
Our favourite goto reef break with a gentle lagoon entry. One of the best locations in the country for intermediate sailors wanting to venture into the waves. At the same time seasoned advanced wave hunters can be riding stunning long reef breaks nearly all day!
See our Spot Guide: Best Wavesailing in Taranaki
Just south or Oakura is a beautiful black sand beach providing a little something for everyone. Wingfoil, Windfoil, Windsurf, SUP or Surf with gentle swells and rolling breaks close to our accommodation.
See our Spot Guide: Best Wavesailing in Taranaki
Legendary and a favourite for any seasoned wave sailing windsurfer. The coarse sand (i.e. big bouldery bays) can be intimidating, but with a few tips from Water Nomads you can be riding some of the best breaks in the world!
See our Spot Guide: Best Wavesailing in Taranaki
See our Featured Location: Wavesailing in Taranaki
Frequently Asked Questions
Due to its latitude and the influence of the Taranaki volcanic mountain cone, Taranaki has the country’s best swell and wind exposure to the prevailing frontal weather systems. In spring (during our Taranaki Surfari Trips), the maximum day temperatures vary between 14 °C and 18 °C though it often feels warmer in the sun if you escape the wind.
The average sea temperature of Taranaki Coast in Spring is approximately 15 °C.
For comparison, it is much the same as Christchurch summer or Auckland winter sea temperatures.
In spring (September through November) the wind is reasonably reliable with Southeasterly through Southwesterly and Northwesterly. As a rule of thumb you will either be experiencing a Westerly frontal system or an Easterly frontal system. With a coastline exposure of 270 degrees and Mount Taranaki to accelerate the wind, it’s difficult not to have wind/wave/water time.
Due to the nature of the Taranaki Bight, it can be difficult finding wind conditions and water states to suit everyones expectations. This is where Water Nomads expertise will pay dividends on any given day.
If there is a day of light conditions, there is always a surf/SUP-surf possibility on any one of the famous surf breaks of the Taranaki Surf Highway.
Our Taranaki Surfari Trip does not include sailing in Wellington.
The Taranaki Bight is sparsely populated, access can be intimidating, and it can be challenging to understand the weather patterns. Thus Water Nomads providing the best opportunity to access and sail remote and beautiful places that few others venture.
The sailing spots and sailing community is very strong in Wellington so you can easily access these spots by joining the locals. You can certainly extend your stay after the Taranaki Surfari Trip and self-drive the Wellington spots. We are happy to assist with spot information and local chat groups to get you going.
The group size is limited to 6 guests. All guests are expected to have an intermediate to expert proficiency, we do not cater for beginners or offer lessons.
The journey from Auckland Airport to Ōakura is 360km which is 4 hours 30 minutes drive time.
The journey from Wellington Airport to Ōakura is 375km which is 4 hours 45 minutes drive time.
In addition, there is a regional airport in New Plymouth which is only 26km to Ōakura (30 minutes drive), rental cars are available, along with Watersports Gear Rental from Water Nomads.
Got more questions? Try our Surfari Trips Frequently Asked Questions:
